SONOIO - FINE

One of the most impressive aspects of Alessandro Cortini’s third SONOIO release is its evolution of sound. The first two, titled BLUE (2010) and RED (2011), had an almost spartan presentation, for the most part very clear and concise. Things are bigger, riskier, messier, and more complex here. Cortini’s vocals contain a newfound confidence; less a small voice in a bright, empty space and more a booming declaration of his uncertainty at the world around him. Everything on FINE is more layered, and intricate, miles away from the purity and simplicity of where things began.

The first single, “Thanks For Calling”, is the most reminiscent of early SONOIO (perhaps because it was released almost four years ago), but sharper, dirtier. “Pieces” feels like a full realization of “Silence” or “Memory Loss” from BLUE, closer to something from Forse with lyrics than anything SONOIO. "Vitamin D" has wonderful, open energy. "Bad Habit”, the foundation of which is rotten, shifting synths and almost fearful vocals unfolds to become triumphant. The menace at the start of "Under the Sea” eventual takes on a somewhat Depeche Mode flavor, and the naked, unaffected guitar on "What’s Before” in shocking in its normalcy.

FINE is an excellent representation of everything Cortini has created since BLUE, not just this third (and final) SONOIO album, but a culmination of all his works; as himself (AVANTI, Risveglio, Sonno, the stunning, Buchla-driven Forse trilogy), Modwheelmood, blindoldfreak, skarn, and the smattering of sonic bits and pieces he’s released along the way. Whether or not fans of Cortini prefer the intimacy of BLUE and RED or the more open surety of FINE is going to determine where they rank this final installment. Would you rather be the only other person sharing a quiet, doubtful moment with the man, or be a face in the crowd witnessing a brash declaration of the same man’s thoughts and feelings nearly a decade later? It would be advisable to take in the whole trilogy before deciding.